I had to replace an old wind speed sensor that used an optical interrupter (16 steps per revolution)with a sensor that uses a reed switch (four steps per revolution). I could change the parameters in the computer, however I don't want to loose the resolution I had with the old sensor.
Could I use an Arduino to read the input from the new sensor, multiply that value by four, then output that value to the computer? I would assume that there would have to be some type of sample rate/timed interval before multiplying the input value?
All of this is 5 volts.
Can someone point me in the right direction, in terms of what examples to look at?
however I don't want to loose the resolution I had with the old sensor.
But you would.
If you make up signals then you do not have the original resolution.
Yes you could do what you wanted, however, it is a bit more complex than you would think, but more importantly nothing would work any better.
I could change the parameters in the computer, however I don't want to loose the resolution I had with the old sensor.
If you can do that, do it! How many readings do you need per-revolution? I would think that one wind-speed reading per minute would be more than enough... Like Mike said, you aren't getting more resolution by adding (or interpolating) made-up data.... It's like blowing-up a picure or watching a VHS tape on an HDTV... More pixels don't automatically Improve the resolution.
Could I use an Arduino to read the input from the new sensor, multiply that value by four, then output that value to the computer? I would assume that there would have to be some type of sample rate/timed interval before multiplying the input value?
I think so... You need a buffer or delay... Measure the time between two "input-ticks", and then pump-out 4 equally-spaced "output-ticks" (4 times as fast) while measuring the time to the next "input-tick". But I think you might need a bigger buffer (more delay) because if the wind is accelerating, the next input-tick will come-along before all 4 output-ticks have been sent-out to the computer.
like everybody said here, you're not getting a better resolution, your getting the same bad resolution, just with more data. you will still get 4 outputs/rotation from the sensor, and they you're splitting them into 16 outputs.
My advice, get 4 sensors, and place them equally apart. this way you get more readings and higher resolution.
I'm not sure you can do that, since I'm not sure how everything works there.